7.4/10
As the entire world knows by now, Drake surprisingly released a mixtape and his fourth studio album with Cash Money Records entitled, If You're Reading This It's Too Late. For some odd reason, there has been some dispute over whether the compilation is a mixtape or an album so I'll go ahead and settle that argument right now. It's both. Drake calls it a mixtape but technically since it is for sale, it's an album as well. This is without a doubt, Drake's most raw and introspective work. There are a few reoccurring themes such the pressure of having to represent his city, his life-long struggle for success, as well as his dislike for social media and the conversations that stem from it's use.
Drake sets a bit of a narcissistic tone with the first track, "Legend". This is the first of many tracks produced by Boi-1da, although it sounds like an old-school slow jam that Twista would've rapped on (but it wouldn't have been as good). On the next track entitled "Energy", Drake divulges his hatred of social media with the line:
Drake sets a bit of a narcissistic tone with the first track, "Legend". This is the first of many tracks produced by Boi-1da, although it sounds like an old-school slow jam that Twista would've rapped on (but it wouldn't have been as good). On the next track entitled "Energy", Drake divulges his hatred of social media with the line:
"I got bitches askin' bout the code for the wi-fi, so they can talk about they timeline and show me pictures of they friends, just to tell me they ain't really friends."
At first, the song sounds like a beat that your friend produced on Garage Band but then it transforms to perfectly compliment his classic Drake-esque hook. The third track is an anthem to his bank account, called "10 Bandz". However, he states that he makes his music for more than just money. "I could never let the streets down, haven't left the condo for a week now." He reminds us that he's rich because of his constant hard work and determination. Then, he also reminds us that he's so rich, he doesn't even know how much he makes of his record deal.
The next track, "Know Yourself", is by far my favorite and his most introspective in my opinion. Drake prays "the fakes get exposed" and proclaims, "I've always been me, I guess I know myself." The theme of his self-awareness continues into the next, and fifth Boi-1da-produced, song, "No Tellin'". Unfortunately for me, this is the peak of the album as the next 12 songs do not provide as much depth as the first five. "Madonna" sounds like it was produced for Earl Sweatshirt and "6 God" is basically a declaration of him as King of Toronto (at least he doesn't smoke crack, amirite). However, They are definitely worth a listen.
If You're Reading This It's Too Late only further establishes Drake as a leader in the hip-hop community. He delves into his past and reveals secrets about himself that can only be heard through the music. He talks of paying his mother's rent since the age of 17 and you almost forget that he was on Degrassi until he mentions it, "I've been had these visions of the life I'm livin' since I was Jimmy, all I had to do was just go out and get it." The album introduces us to PARTYNEXTDOOR, an R&B singer and producer on Drake's label. It also has decent collaborations from Lil' Wayne and Travi$ Scott. If it were my call, I would have shortened the track listing and focused on promoting the stronger tracks. Regardless, I love this album and will continue to listen to it non-stop for at least five more days.
The next track, "Know Yourself", is by far my favorite and his most introspective in my opinion. Drake prays "the fakes get exposed" and proclaims, "I've always been me, I guess I know myself." The theme of his self-awareness continues into the next, and fifth Boi-1da-produced, song, "No Tellin'". Unfortunately for me, this is the peak of the album as the next 12 songs do not provide as much depth as the first five. "Madonna" sounds like it was produced for Earl Sweatshirt and "6 God" is basically a declaration of him as King of Toronto (at least he doesn't smoke crack, amirite). However, They are definitely worth a listen.
If You're Reading This It's Too Late only further establishes Drake as a leader in the hip-hop community. He delves into his past and reveals secrets about himself that can only be heard through the music. He talks of paying his mother's rent since the age of 17 and you almost forget that he was on Degrassi until he mentions it, "I've been had these visions of the life I'm livin' since I was Jimmy, all I had to do was just go out and get it." The album introduces us to PARTYNEXTDOOR, an R&B singer and producer on Drake's label. It also has decent collaborations from Lil' Wayne and Travi$ Scott. If it were my call, I would have shortened the track listing and focused on promoting the stronger tracks. Regardless, I love this album and will continue to listen to it non-stop for at least five more days.
Moment of Zen: Source: Huffington Post | |